THE WEEK THAT WAS

Khushboo Mein Basay Khat | Hum TV, Tuesdays 8.00pm

Amna Mufti’s wonderful script uses whimsy and humour to explore an array of emotions and characters, who suffer more because of their own egos than anything life throws at them.

Adnan Siddiqui gives us another outstanding performance as the ageing poet Ahmed Zaryab whose career is marked more by the number of his female admirers than any tangible success. His mastery of Urdu is a weapon and the ideals of romantic, courtly love, the ammunition with which he has won every woman he has met. His compliments are limited to his conquests, however, while he constantly undermines and berates his accomplished wife (Nadia Jamil) in order to control her. Nadia Jamil gives us a window into the life of a woman who, despite being everything, has reduced herself to nothing for the fairytale she has spun around her heart and mind. Why is she so resigned to silent acceptance and self-effacing, all forgiving love?

In contrast Husna (Kinza Hashmi) has no special talent, except looks and determination, and her confidence comes from the support of her middle class father. She takes Ahmed Zaryab’s arrogance head on, with the help of another disaffected poet’s mediocre work. This is a thoughtful show, ie it is not just entertainment, and like the best works of art, it forces us to think and consider.

Standup Girl | Green Entertainment, Thurs-Fri 8.00pm

An engaging new show from Green TV that takes up the gauntlet thrown down by their previous hit Kabuli Pulao, combining entertainment and authenticity. This is another gem from director Kashif Nisar, once again set in the walled city of Lahore, a mediaeval city that seems to produce quirky, self-indulgent personalities on an industrial scale.

Zara (Zara Noor Abbas) lives a sophisticated life in Islamabad and wants to be a stand-up comedian, but her jokes are constantly upsetting her more straight-laced audiences. When her mother (Asma Abbas) dies, her world is turned upside down, as she finally meets her mother’s side of the family of lazy but lovable performers, who are hereditary ‘bhaands’ (traditional Punjabi comedians and storytellers).

Apart from the subtle reinforcement of casteist stereotypes, this is a fun, endearing show. Danyal Zafar is believable and likeable as a struggling musician, but he would be even better if he stopped playing every character he gets with exactly the same look and style. Zara Noor is an absolute star and fits the role perfectly.

Sukoon | ARY, Thurs-Fri 8.00pm

Ahsan Khan plays generic good guy and wealthy businessman Hamdan with so much restraint, it is hard to know if this character has any strong feelings towards anyone. Hamdan’s kindness towards a simple, naïve girl, Aina (Sana Javed), who has been betrayed by his playboy cousin Raza (Khaqan Shahnawaz), leads to a forced marriage.

Hamdan would release Aina but she needs his help to become independent once again and, as the good guy, he obliges. Meanwhile, they have to keep the relationship a secret from Raza’s sister, who is desperate to be Hamdan’s wife.

This is a typical potboiler story filled with stereotypes, and the main plot driver is the conservative honour culture of Aina’s terrible family. Aina’s younger sister is forced to marry the abusive fiancé Aina ran away from, to make their father feel good about himself. Much of the story is taken up with her suffering because of her egotistical parents. This mass entertainer never reaches beyond the beautiful OST and promotional teasers that initially attracted viewers.

What To Watch Out For (or not)

Mohabbat Aik Saza | Geo TV, Coming soon

Narcissistic men who destroy a woman’s sense of self are the latest trend. Muneeb Butt stars as the wealthy Sultan, who marries a young woman played by Anmol Baloch, whose personality he slowly degrades and shreds.

Published in Dawn, ICON, January 21th, 2024